We apologize in advance if this video makes you tear up. At the same time, you've got to feel great for Tennessee basketball standout Chaz Lanier. He arrived in Knoxville last offseason via the transfer portal and he had a sensational 2024-25 campaign with this team.
It's a shame that Lanier is one and done with the Vols, as he was one of the best shooters in the country. Matter of fact, he was the best shooting guard out there this season. On Saturday, the news broke that Lanier has been named the Jerry West Award winner.
As you might have been able to guess, it meant the world to Lanier to get the news. As you'll be able to see in the video below, he was overcome with emotion and he wasted no time in calling his mom. Absolutely love everything about this:
Chaz Lanier finding out he’s the best shooting guard in the country. Winning the Jerry West Award - look at what it means to him 🥹🧡 pic.twitter.com/jrd053F84Z
— All For Tennessee (@allfortennessee) April 5, 2025
Tennessee SG Chaz Lanier has been named the Jerry West Award winner this season
A Nashville native, Lanier spent the first four seasons of his career at North Florida. Then, he entered the portal and several schools worked to get him to sign, but Rick Barnes and Co. were able to come out on top in the recruiting battle.
That proved to be gold for the Vols, as Lanier helped lead this team to the SEC Tournament title game and a trip to the Elite Eight. Lanier, Zakai Zeigler and Co. were hoping to power the Vols to the Final Four for the first time ever, but they were just short of that goal.
Regardless, it doesn't take away from the tremendous campaign that was posted. Lanier averaged 18 points per game, while also setting the new record for most 3-pointers made in a season by a Tennessee star. Lanier was so much fun to watch this season and he no question deserves all of the praise that he's getting right now.